Security mogul Calvin Mathibeli loses court bid as police probe firearm compliance

Police have flagged several discrepancies while conducting a firearm compliance inspection at one of security boss Calvin Mathibeli’s business premises in KwaZulu-Natal.

Authorities are currently questioning the number of firearms found on the property against the number the company is licensed to possess.

The inspection follows a failed court challenge by Mathibeli yesterday, in which he attempted to halt the proceedings.

The operation comes amid ongoing tension between Mathibeli and KZN Provincial Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Recently, Mkhwanazi took Mathibeli to court over defamation after the businessman accused the commissioner of using the police force to settle personal scores.

ALSO READ: Mkhwanazi wins urgent interdict against businessman Mathibeli

Mathibeli lost that case, with the court ordering him to retract his statements and cover Mkhwanazi’s legal costs.

Police stated that the primary goal of the operation is to ensure that the 800+ firearms owned by the Calvin and Family Security company are legal and fully accounted for.

However, officials noted that the audit has already revealed inconsistencies in the firearm records.

Police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda explained the nature of the discrepancy.

“The person who is responsible is the owner of the company, but he appointed a person to be in charge of their firearms on his behalf. That person is telling us that the company has got 815 firearms in their books and in their safes, but that for now does not correspond with our records, which indicate that this company should be having over 850 firearms.”

Netshiunda confirmed that this operation is part of a broader initiative.

Police intend to target other security firms in the near future to ensure that the industry is not flouting the Firearms Control Act.